Things You Should Know
Here's the complete list of what anyone with either an FMT (tourist card valid up to 180 days) or FM3 (one year visa) is allowed to bring duty free into Mexico:
- Suitcases, trunks, valises, and hampers necessary for their baggage
- New or used consumer goods necessary for their personal use, such as clothing, shoes, items for personal hygiene. These must be in accordance with the length of the passenger's stay and not in quantities that would appear to be sufficient for sale.
- Medicines for personal use. Psychotropic drugs must be accompanied by their prescription.
- One still camera, one video camera (and its power supply), up to 12 rolls of new film or videocassettes, one cellular phone, one pager, one pair of binoculars, one typewriter, one new or used portable computer (laptop, notebook, etc.), one portable printer or copier (new or used), one portable radio (new or used) to tape or reproduce sound (or for mixed use).
- Two types of new or used sports equipment suitable for one person to carry; one tent for camping plus camping equipment; one surfboard, with or without sail; four fishing rods with their accompanying gear.
- Five laser disks, five DVDs, 20 compact disks (CDs) or cassette tapes, books and magazines which show by their quantity that they are not for resale.
- Five games which might ordinarily be brought by one person.
- Any equipment necessary for the care and wellbeing of a handicapped person.
- In addition to the above, any adult may bring into the Republic up to 20 packets of cigarettes, 25 cigars, 200 grams of loose tobacco, and up to three liters of wine, beer, or liquor.
- In addition, people driving into Mexico may bring $50 in new goods into the country without paying duty. People who fly in are allowed an additional US$300 in new goods.
- You are allowed to bring household goods valued at up to $1000 USD over and above what is listed above without the need for a customs agent to file the paperwork and to assist you. If you plan to bring household goods into Mexico with a value greater than $1000 USD, then you need to use the services of a customs agent to work with you to determine the duty values and assist you in the process of actually bringing your belongings into Mexico. The duty payment is usually (but not always) valued at 17% of the declared value of your household goods over and above the allowed value.
Moving to Mexico
As you plan your move to Mexico, there will be many questions you'll ask yourself that need to be answered. This guide contains a list of key questions and answers people most frequently ask in relation to living in Mexico.
Why do People Move to Mexico?
1. A better quality of life and the opporutnity to get acces to a new culture.
2. It is a popular retirement destination.
3. To work and gain a valuable cross-cultural professional experience.
Living in Mexico is very different to living in the USA, Canada and Europe.
Although English is spoken in tourist centers, large hotels and resorts and professional establishments within cities, it cannot be considered 'common'.
Larger towns and cities offer all of the amenities you would have acces to in most US towns: supermarkets, shops, restaurants, entertainment, nightlife, etc.
Generally speaking, Mexico's pace of life is slower than that of the US and Britain, especially in comparison to major cities in those countries. Things are promised, but not always delivered at the promised time (ranging from the new table you ordered to the gardener showing up) - this can be frustrating - but once you understand that it is part of the culture, you begin to relax into it and adjust to the calmer rhythms which exist in Mexico.
Mexican people are extremely warm and friendly. In smaller communities especially, they will make you feel welcome and help you where they can. Mexican people love foreign lands, and they love to hear about different people and places. The more effort you make to integrate yourself into their communities and their way of life, the more receptive they will be to you, and they will appreciate the fact that you have made the effort to do so.